VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 47/48 jacks part 2

To continue Dick's question on bumper jacks.

So, when, what year, did a jack, become a bumper jack??

Looking at the instruction cards sold at COT40's it indicates that a '41 jack does not lift by the bumper, but the bumper support. The jack that is shown by Bruce looks like it is intended to work in this manner.





The one that Dick has looks like it would actually lift by the bumper.

So, did this change by Chevrolet in '42, '46, '47, '48, or '49???

The first year for a bumper jack come with the car from the factory was 1935 for the Master. Same jack was used on all 1936 cars. Was a screw type post. In the front it lifted by the bumper brackets. In the rear there was castiings bolted to the end of the frame for lifting.
The 1937-1938 jack lifed by the brackets, had a specal bracket to fit the V of the bumper brackets and a set screw to secure it.
The 1939 and 1940 jack was almost the same but no set screw.
A new problem arose in 1941. The rear bumper to body splash pan prevented jacking by the bumper brackets and became a "bumper Jack".
I suspect the instruction tag is for the universal jack sold through the parts department.
Going to jack parts in the parts book base number 598441 is specified for 1938-1942 jacks ...none listed for 1946-1948 production jacks??

Now were getting some where...See dick you may be right all along

After studying the tag better it is for a 1941 as if you look closely the rear bumper has a splash shield. The picture looks through it but the line near the end of the bumper is the outside end of the splash shield.

It does show lifting by the bumper and not the brackets.

This jack discussion has been very enlightening. This weekend will be spent cleaning up the one I have as I do believe it is the style/type of jack for the period (1947/48). I have often wondered why someone has not reproduce a jack instruction tag for the 47/48 cars.
Thanks Russ for keeping this post rolling.

dick

Not to disagree, but, there is always a but, please read line #2 on the written side. Lift by bumper support.

I really don't see a reason for that "upright" portion to interfere with the splash if the jack is against the support. Bruce, have you ever tried your jack? Either on the bumper or the support? I know, there is no way that jack will ever touch you chrome!

Dick, you and Johnny may have the last ones. Kevin, what does yours look like????

I always enjoy a good mystery.

Hey, Uncle Ed, you missed the last discussion, here is your chance to get in on this. Do you have a jack in your '48?

scratch my bumper support, you have got to be kidding me...
Just joking...I my try it this week end

Just remembered, Cousin Dale, what do you know about this?

Also, looking at the list of cars that will be here next week for the area 9 thing, don't see a '85 or '48 so I guess you won't be here.

Lift by bumper support means place jack at the bumper area next to the bumper support.....not on the bumper support.
They want the jack (on the outside) of the bumper and the inner support (bracket) is the most strudy place. This would also be next to the bumper guard.
Note on the last picture it says jack against the bumper face bar....which would be the outer chromed area of the bumper.

Now I can't do that!!!I will stick with the hydraulic

Gene, I believe you are wrong. I can not blow the tag up larger without distortion.



I don't read that anywhere. I read #2 "Draw jack body up to allow bumper support to rest in jack seat as shown."

Bruce, please get you "baby" out of the box, use your white gloves, and take a picture of the "head", lifting portion, please.

Note where it shows the jack seat, up against the support. Also, the clear gap that is open, not used for lifting. The jack does not touch the bumper. The way I read the tag.

Both pictures show the bumper AGAINST the "bumper face bar"....how else could you jack up the car? the rear bumper brackets are covered on a 1941 and the front and rear on a 1942-1948.

The jacking instructions are a little more clear from 1949 and up. They say to place the jack next to the bumper guard and toward the out side of the car.
This is the strongest part of the bumper.

Yes, I know that the jack is against the face of the bumper. I am talking about the jack that Bruce has. His looks like the one on the '41 tag pictured, I believe. The picture of his in the box seems to look like it has the off set seat that comes up behind the bumper to lift on the support and not the bumper. Like the one on the tag shown for '41. Just trying to clarify if his is correct, or even work, for his '48 or not. A clear picture of the lifting part of Bruce's jack will straighten this out, for me.

There is no doubt the jack that Dick has, lifts by the bumper only.


Gene, good night. More tomorrow.

I will verify on Sunday...Russell you may be right

I can't see enough of the jack....will wait.

Holding my breath 'till then.

Looking forward for the close up pic of the jack head in order to clarify just how that particular jack functions. Of course the real test(proof) would be a pic of the jack holding up one corner of the car. Here is what you do Bruce. Put on your best flannel shirt (preferably a new one)and get the jack out of its box. Pull your shirt tail out and cut a piece off. Place that piece on the surface of the jack that contacts the bumper. Now you can proceed to raise the car. This will prove (1) how the jacks works,(2) whether or not you tightened your bumper bolts enough and (3) whether or not your now ruined flannel shirt prevented scratching the bumper.
Only having some fun with you Bruce. Do not take the above seriously.

Dick

Russ: Take a breath, you are turning blue. To keep this thread active while we are waiting for Bruce to come thru, I have another question related to the jacks on 47/48 cars. Just where is the proper site to store the jack in the Sportmaster & Aerosedan. That is the 2 models I am particularly interested in but the same question goes for other models also. I currently have mine behind the spare but there really seems to be no dedicated spot or hold down arrangement. What do others out there do? Dick

In the later years, like after 1937, there was no "offical" place to store your jack and tools.
Then in 1949 they came up with the spring hold down next to the spare tire.

A little more info from the spec. sheets.

1941 jack
1500# cap.
raised height 30"
lowered height 9"
( something else for Bruce to check)

1946 jack
1200# cap.
raised height 29"
lowered height 6"

1947 jack
1200# cap.
raised height 29"
lowered height 6 3/8"
( How about yours Dick)

1948 jack
1200# cap.
raised height 29"
lowered height 7 5/8"

What does this indicate? No idea!

Just measured the lifting hts of my jack.
Lowered height: 6-3/8" MEASURED FROM THE GROUND
Raised height : 29" " " " "

Sure hope I never have to raised my car to that height with that jack. I can't imagine it would be too stable.

dick

Kind of what I expected. Thanks Gene for confirming there is no official jack storage location.

dick

Proper storage location for you favorite 48 chevy jack and tools
Trunk is finished now though

This was how my Jack was stored when I got it, the car was a 2nd owner car with 21k original miles.




Based off the above I stored my Jack in my Convertible as shown:

yeah,I know...I guess I'm just into wood